Chapter 9

[5]The top of this ridge, or cordillera, cannot be less than 17,000 feet above the level of the sea. On arriving at this height, I recollected what I had often read of, that persons at great elevations felt much difficulty in breathing. I resolved to try the correctness of these accounts: and for this purpose, I alighted from my horse, and with a heavy great-coat on, I walked with a quick pace for half an hour. The result was, I felt not the slightest inconvenience in breathing.

Bogotá, 8th February, 1825.

Since my last communication to you from Quito, I have had a long, and by no means an agreeable journey. The distance from Quito to this place is considerable, the roads are very bad, and in passing through one district, there is no inconsiderable danger. On the 29th ultimo, I arrived safely in this city, and now seize the first opportunity that offers of writing you a few lines, to inform you of occurrences in these parts since my last, of the 26th November.

I intimated to you in the letter last mentioned, that it was my intention to drop a few seeds as I went along, or in other words, to endeavour to circulate the sacred volume, as opportunities might offer, in the course of my journey. I accordingly posted up my notices in those places, where I stopped for half a day, or upwards. In these country villages a great sale was not to be expected. The inhabitants are in general poor,and very few of them are addicted to reading. Some copies, however, were thus put into circulation, and in such places, and under such circumstances, I always think much has been done if a kind of beginning has been made. I shall, in a future communication, state to you the number sold in each place, and the respective sums received since my leaving Lima. I would give you this account now, were it not that the scantiness of my time at present will not allow me to extract these notices from among my notes. I have now disposed ofallthe New Testaments I brought with me from Lima, and those which I found awaiting me in Guayaquil. I bless the Lord for having counselled me to undertake this journey, and thus to put into circulation a considerable number of copies of his holy word, and which would not likely have been accomplished, but by means of making a complete tour through these quarters. I have thus cause of gratitude to Him who distributeth his favours to whom he will, for having honoured me with a share of this angel-work, of communicating the revelation of God to man. I shall be glad also to know, that the plan I have taken meets with the approbation of the Committee of the British and Foreign Bible Society. I thought much about this journey before undertaking it, and prayed much to the Lord to counsel me in regard to it. And now, looking back over theroad I have travelled, and reflecting on the number of copies of the word of life, now in the hands of many people who had never before seen it, I feel my heart drawn out in thanksgiving and praise for all the way by which the Lord hath led me.

My labours in distributing the sacred volume on this journey must now terminate, because I have no more to distribute. In the multitude of my thoughts within me upon setting off from Lima, it occurred to me that I might, after reaching this place, extend my journey in your service to Guatemala, and from thence overland to Mexico. Two objects I had in view in reference to this; the one was the circulation of the Scriptures, and the other was the procuring translations of the New Testament into the native languages of those parts. Of this latter object I wrote you some time ago. This intended journey, however, must now be given up, for various reasons. The first is, because I have no more copies of the Scriptures to distribute; the second is, because I feel doubtful if it would meet with your approbation to incur the expense of travelling through those parts, with the single object of procuring the translations referred to; the third reason is, the happy change which has taken place in Peru, in the termination of the war there, and which induces me to visit England as early as possible, that I may again return to Lima without lossof time, in order to carry on the work of the Lord there, according to the grace and strength he may be pleased to afford me. I trust in the Lord that we shall have an opportunity of seeing each other face to face, before many months elapse, that we may talk over all the doings of the Lord, in making his word to circulate in this country and in every place, and that we may make arrangements for benefiting South America yet more extensively.

I have spoken of theterminationof the war in Peru, and this to me is no small subject of thanksgiving; for the deliverance of the country from the Spanish yoke, and the rapid progress of the Lord’s work, are closely identified. I wrote you from Guayaquil some months ago respecting this identification. It was then I gave you an account of the battle of Junin, and of the very important effects that followed. I then also ventured to speak of what were likely to be the ultimate and no very distant results of that battle. All these things the Lord hath now brought about, in scattering those who delight in war and oppression, and in commanding the destroying sword to return into its scabbard.—Rest and peace to this destroying instrument—and for ever! May it never more be drawn in this country, to cut in sunder afresh the peace and the progress of man! I send you an account of this late event in Peru, which I think will prove interesting to you and to your friends.

I expected to find, on my arrival here, a large supply of Spanish New Testaments, which I thought you would have found an opportunity of forwarding to some correspondent in this quarter. I have spoken with Mr. Henderson, the British Consul General here, upon the subject, and he informs me that there are neither Spanish Bibles nor New Testaments in this city, and that there is a demand for them. He also informs me, that he wrote about three months ago to Mr. Dowson, a correspondent of his, requesting him to forward some to this place. You will please make inquiry of Mr. D., who lives in Welbeck Street, if he has sent any; and in the event of none having been sent, have the goodness to forward to this city, as early as possible, a supply of each of your editions of the Spanish Scriptures. I have talked with Mr. Henderson upon this subject, and think he will be a very suitable person to manage your concerns here, and to correspond with you. He takes a particular interest in this matter, and desires me to assure you of his readiness to do all that lies in his power to forward your good work.

Bogotá, 25th February, 1825.

I have noticed to you, more than once, the very favourable reception given to the Scriptures in these parts. I am now to state to you an exception,and it is in a quarter where it should not have been found. The only person whom I found unfriendly to the circulation of the Scriptures without notes, in the whole of the journey from Lima to Bogotá, was the Bishop of Popayan. I have stated his opposition in gentle terms, for truth requires it. I heard, soon after putting up the advertisements for the sale of the New Testaments, that the Bishop had spoken against the reading of them. I called upon him to know whether it was so or not, and to learn what were his objections. I had visited him before, and had had a visit from him in return, so that we were, on this second visit, on terms of a friendly intercourse, and we therefore entered freely into the subject of the sale and distribution of the Scriptures. I mentioned to him what I had heard, and inquired whether I had been correctly informed. He then told me the whole of what had occurred upon the subject. He said, a person who had bought one of the New Testaments, brought it to him and asked his opinion as to his using it. The person was a priest, and he named him to me. The Bishop, upon his opinion being asked, rose and brought the Acts of the Council of Trent, and pointed out to the priest the article there, prohibiting the use of the Scriptures without notes. He concluded, however, by telling the priest thathemight keep his New Testament and use it. This, said the Bishop, is all that occurred upon this matter. He said farther, that itwas not his intention to oppose the circulation of the New Testaments in any other way. If any person chose to buy them, he would not interfere; but if any one should ask his opinion upon the matter, he would refer him to the same article, as his duty required him to do. I said that I understood the article in question was as he had stated it, but that when I considered how many among all ranks of the catholic clergy made no account of that article, but freely encouraged the circulation of the Scriptures among their flocks, I was inclined to think that the article was qualified by something subsequent to it, or that it was not generally considered as in force. He replied to this, that there was nothing subsequent to alter the force of that article, but rather to strengthen it, and that whatever others did, he considered his duty to be, to follow the rules of the church in that and in all such matters, as every good Catholic ought to do. I said that I saw the force of what he said, considering what were the principles of his faith. I added, that notwithstanding his reasons, I could not but be sorry to see any opposition to the circulation of the Holy Scriptures, a book which God had graciously given to all, and which should, of course, be studied by all. I observed, also, that I was fully persuaded that very great advantages would arise from a general reading of the word of God, and from these considerations I conceived it to be my duty to put them into the hands of all, and to callupon all to read them with serious attention. “Amen,” replied the Bishop, “I also am of the same opinion. I am sure that it would be advantageous to all to read the Scriptures, but then let them be read with the necessary directions. If Bibles and New Testaments were to come here with the notes, I would be the first to promote their circulation.” Our conversation was extended a good deal further upon this subject, and embraced the usual topics of this question, but which it is unnecessary here to repeat.

I am labouring what I can to establish a Bible Society here, and it is that alone which keeps me longer in this city. I am not yet sure whether I shall succeed or not, but my next letter will inform you.

Bogotá, 1st March, 1825.

My last letter to you was written from Popayan on the 1st of January. I informed you at that time of some of the circumstances that occurred to me in the way, and gave you some account of the peculiar situation of the country from Guayaquil to Quito. I shall now resume this description, which I was obliged to break off abruptly in my last. I remained about three weeks in Quito, experiencing the kindest attentions from many friends. The remembrance of my short stayin that place will always be agreeable. Thanks be to God for providing me friends in every quarter, and may they all be fully rewarded for all their kindness. I had several very interesting conversations with the Rector, and with some of the Professors of the College in that city, upon religious subjects; and one of the Professors who understands English begged me to let him have, at any price, two works I carried with me. These were Jones’s Biblical Cyclopedia and Stewart’s Philosophy of the Human Mind. He said that if I could not spare both works, he particularly wished for the first, as being in the line of his profession as a clergyman, and because he wished to examine the subject of religion, not merely from their own writers, but from ours also. I let him have both of them, with which he was much gratified. These gentlemen belonging to the College, whom I have just referred to, manifested an excellent and liberal spirit in regard to the improvements necessary in their mode of education in the seminary to which they belong. There are about 300 students in this college.

Nothing very material occurred in the journey from Quito until arriving at the province of Pastos. This province has been for a long time past in a very unsettled state. It has repeatedly raised the standard of rebellion against the existing Government, and has as often been reduced to subjection by the force of arms. At each time it has sufferedseverely, and at present it resembles a deserted country; the finest fields and pastures are met with, without a single head of cattle. This province is still but ill at rest, and may be said to be subdued and reduced, rather than tranquillized. A proof of that is to be found in the banditti which exist in it. At the time we passed, there were three or four of these parties in different places, and one of them consisted of one hundred men. On arriving at Tulcan, which is about three days journey from the city of Pasto, the capital of the province, we had to take with us a guard of ten men. We passed from Tulcan to Pasto, without meeting with any enemy. But from what we heard afterwards, we may consider ourselves as having made a providential escape, as there was a party of 16 men seen in these quarters, a few days after we passed. In the city of Pasto, there is constantly kept a body of about a thousand men; some of these are employed in searching out and in persecuting these banditti; and some of them are employed in escorting the mail and travellers from that to the province of Popayan. The Governor of Pasto gave us an escort of forty men, and which was judged necessary from the general state of the province, and from a recent occurrence. This occurrence was the assault and murder of a merchant travelling from Popayan to Pasto, notwithstanding his having an escort of twelve men with him. The soldiers we brought with us behaved very well; we kept agood look out, and mounted our centinels every night, particularly in that spot where the murder was committed, and where we passed the night. Had we fallen in with any of these parties we would have been hardly put to it, and had we been worsted, we should certainly not have escaped with life. From this, however, and from every other danger on the journey, the Lord delivered us. For all these mercies, I feel my heart stirred up with gratitude and thanksgiving, and I feel a desire more than ever to devote my whole life to the service of God, and to the service of mankind.

I have already stated to you the unquiet state of the Province of Pastos, and its desolateness in consequence. The City of Pasto, the capital, affords also a melancholy proof of this desolation. Its population has been reduced from 15,000, to, perhaps, not more than 4000, and in every street you meet with numbers of houses waste and uninhabited, with all the wood of the doors and windows torn out, and which was used by the military for firewood. You are not to consider this revolutionary spirit as extending throughout the country, but as confined exclusively to that province.

Upon my arriving at Popayan, I found there an English medical gentleman, of the name of Wallis, who has been upwards of twenty years in the country. Dr. Wallis shewed me much kindness; he was very friendly to the circulation of the Scriptures, and aided me therein as much as he could.The number sold there was very small, considering the size of the place, on account of some little opposition from the Bishop, of which I have spoken in one of my letters to Mr. B. The topography of Popayan is worth noticing. It is situated in a very large plain, called the valley of Cauca. It is by far the largest plain in those quarters, the Cordilleras separating farther from each other there than in any other part, and the space between them is, in general, even, or nearly so. It is watered by a beautiful river, called Cauca. The population in the whole valley is exceedingly small, considering its size and fertility. There is little doubt, I think, but it will one day become a place of great population and importance. Its climate is healthy and delightful, with an everlasting summer, and its productions, taking one part with another include every thing, from wheat to the sugar-cane. There is no part of Colombia which I have yet seen, nor, perhaps, of America, in which I could wish to live in preference to Popayan.

No part of South America, I believe, has felt more severely the effects of the revolutionary war than the city of Popayan and its neighbourhood. The city was taken and retaken, I believe, fourteen times, and there is scarcely an individual in it who has not a long tale of woes to relate, either of himself or of his friends. It has now enjoyed peace for some time, and is beginning to regain its formerstate, but years of tranquillity are necessary to restore it fully. There is a mint here, which coins annually about one million of dollars, of the gold of Chocó, and from the mines of the province of Popayan. There is also coined there twenty thousand dollars of silver. The Director of the Mint is a gentleman of the name of Pombo, a literary man, and who has published two or three elementary works for schools, of considerable value.

From Popayan to Bogotá there are two roads across the cordillera, but the one to the south is the best. This is called the Pass of Guanacos, and lies nearly east of Popayan; the other is called Quindiu, and lies to the north. The cold on the top of the mountain is generally pretty keen. The ascent from Popayan is gradual, but the descent on the other side is rapid, and you pass quickly from a very cold climate to a hot one. It is a frightful road in some places. You have frequently to ascend and descend very steep places on this side of the mountain, from the many deep glens made by the rivers which you pass. You may be said to be riding up stairs and down stairs in these places, and in several of them it is literally so. The mules are wonderfully steady, being accustomed to these roads, so that they very seldom slip. Some years ago an Italian doctor, passing that way, was so frightened with the going down these stairs, thathe mounted his mule the reverse way, with his face backwards, and then leaned him down flat upon the mule. This attitude, together with his three-cocked hat and queue, afforded no little diversion to the muleteers who conducted him. This kind of road continues till you come to the town of La Plata, and after that you have a much better road, the greater part of which is in the great valley of the river Magdalena, and one of its contributaries. The usual stages or places where you hire mules, on the way between Popayan and Bogotá are, La Plata, Neiva, and La Mesa. In most places the mules are scarce, on account of the great number of these animals destroyed by the war. At proper distances on the road there are houses called Tambos, which are the inns of the place. These houses consist of a roof erected upon poles, and without any walls, so that they afford shelter from the rain, but not from the wind and the cold. The town of La Plata is pleasantly situated on the banks of a river of the same name, on the first lowlands after getting out from the great mountains. There is a great deal of fertile land about the place, affording a great variety of productions, including the sugar-cane, but these fertile lands are almost all lying waste. The river La Plata, about ten miles below the town, joins the river Paez, a river on the banks of which we travelled a good deal, and across which we passedrepeatedly. The La Plata and the Paez are nearly of the same size, and make a fine stream when united. When these two streams unite, the whole goes by the name of Paez. After travelling two days on the banks of the Paez, we saw it fall into the Magdalena, and lose its name there.—From the town of La Plata the heat begins, and when you reach the Magdalena it is very great, and continues so all along the banks of the river. This is decidedly the hottest place I ever was in. The thermometer every day rose to 97½, and remained there two or three hours together. I was in a constant state of perspiration during the 24 hours, except, perhaps, from 2 o’clock in the morning till 8. This was the only respite, if respite it might be called. At Neiva we left the road and the mules, and took to the river, down which we went for some days. From Neiva to Honda the river is navigable in what are called balsas. The balsa consists of long poles or trunks of trees laid close to each other, with others laid over then cross-wise, and again, above this row, or above an additional one, is a kind of flooring, made of the bamboo flattened out. The wood of which these balsas are made is exceedingly light, and very well adapted for the use. In this vessel there is not a single nail used, nor a single rope. The poles are tied together with what are called bejucos, which is a species of plant that grows abundantly in these quarters,and resembles a rope in length and thickness. With these, which are of all sizes, the whole work of nails and ropes is performed. Over the balsa is raised a roof, thatched with what the wood affords. This protects the luggage as well as the passengers from the rain. In this rude vessel we passed some days and some nights, sailing when we had light, and at night fastened by one of these ropes to a tree. The river was very shallow at the time we passed, so that we frequently got aground in the middle of the stream, at which time our boatmen, or bogas as they are called, had to get into the water and push us along. There was another evil of a worse kind which we had to encounter, namely, the trunks of trees sunk deep in the bottom of the river, sometimes appearing above the water, and sometimes not. It requires a good deal of dexterity to steer among these at times, as the current perhaps draws you straight to them. Against one of these sunken trees we drove one day, and fortunately broke it with the blow. The shock pitched our bogas into the river in a moment, but they were immediately again on board. This blow, however, broke some of our wooden ropes, and we were under the necessity of fastening ourselves to a tree till we got repaired. The bogas got into the wood, and got, quite at hand, other ropes of a similar kind, cut them down, repaired the bark, and in anhour’s time we were again at sea. The general landing place for travellers for Bogotá, is not as far down as Honda, but at a place called Fusagasugá. Here you leave the river, and begin to ascend the hills, and afterwards the mountains, and sensibly to change your climate from extreme heat to temperature, but a temperature which, under these circumstances, feels quite cold. On the last day’s travel to this place, we began early in the morning to ascend the mountain by a steep and rugged road, closely wooded on both sides. We kept ascending till about noon, when we reached the top, and the wood disappeared. Here I expected we would have had, as usual, to descend again, but quite otherwise. On the top of this mountain is a large beautiful plain, and at the farther end of it stands the city of Bogotá.

Bogotá, 5th April, 1825.

I had the pleasure of writing you on the 25th of February last, and of giving you an account of those places, in which the Holy Scriptures were distributed in the course of my journey. I noticed to you at the same time, the only instance I met with of opposition to the circulation of the Scriptures without notes. I also informed you of my endeavours to bring about the establishmentof a Bible Society in this city. By the last packet for England, I sent you a copy of No. 29 of “The Constitutional,” a newspaper published in this place, and which contained an advertisement relative to the subject in question. By that advertisement, you would see that something was doing in the matter, and from the respectability of the gentlemen who are there mentioned, you would perceive that we had met with some valuable supporters, and that there was a prospect held forth of succeeding in this object. I now send you Nos. 30, 31, and 32, of the same paper, which will point out to you the different steps we have taken, and you will be able to notice also the progressive encouragement we obtained. You will perceive by the two last numbers that our Society at length obtained a fair and firm establishment. I say afairestablishment, because the whole of our transactions were done in open day, and because all who wished to state their objections were not only permitted, but encouraged to do so. Our meeting on the 24th was very well attended, and consisted of the most respectable class of the community in this city, both clergy and laity. We had, on that occasion, a very warm and interesting discussion of the point in question. A professor in one of the colleges was the first who spoke, a man of very respectable talents, and commendable for his Christian virtues, but withal full of Catholic prejudices. This gentlemanopposed our object, as being contrary to the acts of the general councils of the church, and as being injudicious and hurtful, especially under present circumstances. The next who spoke was the very respectable rector of the principal college of this city. In this gentleman we met with a warm friend to our Institution, and we had the pleasure of hearing him reply to the objections of the preceding speaker. Both these individuals are clergymen. The next who spoke was also a clergyman, a well known and eloquent preacher in this place, a man full of zeal, and who adorns his profession by a very exemplary conduct. This gentleman opposed our plans, as the first speaker had done, and even went farther, and said, that under existing circumstances, he considered it improper to have a general circulation of the Scriptures, even with the notes affixed. This last observation relieved us a little, in respect to the opposition we met with from this individual, as it was plain that, as a Catholic, he proved too much, and thus overshot his mark, and injured his cause, inasmuch as he carried things farther than either the Pope or the Council of Trent. This ended our opposition, or at least finished the list of our opponents, for no other individual present spoke on that side of the question. The gentleman, however, who had spoken first, was so full upon his subject, that he rose again and again to advocate his cause, until it was necessary to replyto him from the chair as to order, and to the giving an opportunity to others to speak as well as himself. Several gentlemen spoke in succession, and warmly advocated the cause of the Bible Society in general, and pointed out to the meeting the consistency of the object of the Society to be established, with the laws and customs of the people of Colombia, and stating at the same time the great advantages that would certainly arise to their country, from a general circulation and reading of the word of God, not encumbered with notes, but in its own native simplicity, as it was delivered by the Almighty to mankind. The two Ministers of Government who were present, Mr. Gual, and Mr. Castillo, very ably, and at considerable length, defended and supported the object of the Society, and pointed out that there was nothing of a clandestine nature in the establishment of this Institution, but that it had the full and open approbation of the Executive Government of the country, and also of the ecclesiastical authorities.

After our plans respecting the Society had thus been clearly and openly stated to the assembly, and nothing kept back, and after we had heard all that was to be said in support of its adoption in Colombia, and also the objections urged against it, the sense of the meeting was taken by vote. The question put amounted to this: Is it compatible with our laws and customs,as Colombians, and as of the Roman Catholic church, to establish a Colombian Bible Society in this capital as a national Society, and whose only object is to print and circulate the Holy Scriptures, in approved versions, in our native tongue; and does such a Society meet with the approbation of this assembly? This question was triumphantly carried in the affirmative, and almost unanimously.

I need not tell you how much pleasure I enjoyed in witnessing this triumph, nor how many anxieties previously entertained respecting the result of these meetings, were at once laid asleep, or were changed into that tranquillity, that peace and joy, which arise from seeing the name of the Lord glorified among men. I know you will participate in the same feelings, and will hail the establishment of this Society as a new era in South America. See here one of the happy effects of the political revolution! and it is but one of many, some of which are already visible, and the rest come on in their natural order and beauty. Blessed be God, who doeth all things according to the counsel of his own will, who maketh the wrath of man to praise him, and who in due time saith to the wars, as to the winds and the waves, peace, be still! and thus leaving us in the midst of the calm, to exclaim, Who is a God like unto our God, who bringeth order out of confusion, and who maketh waters to spring up in the wilderness, and streams to flow in the desert.

Our last meeting toestablishthe Society was held yesterday afternoon, and consisted of those who had subscribed as members of this Institution. The President, Vice Presidents, the Treasurer, and Secretaries, were chosen at this meeting, and you will find their names in the paper, No. 32, I now send you. These gentlemen, you will see, are of the most respectable inhabitants of this place, and this gives at once a tone and a stability to our Society. Besides the preceding office-bearers, there was chosen a Committee, consisting of twenty, one half clergymen and the other half laymen. The gentlemen elected into the Committee, are also of the same highly respectable class as those whose names you have mentioned in the paper. It is intended to publish, as soon as possible, an account of the origin and actual state of the Society. Along with this will be published the Rules and Regulations adopted, the names of the office-bearers and committee, and a list of subscribers. To all of which will be added a short address to the people of South America, upon the object and the advantages of the Society. I have much pleasure in saying that the subscriptions already amount to 1380 dollars. I should not omit to mention to you, that all the meetings upon this matter have been held in the chapel of the University, which is in the principal Dominican Convent of this city. The Rector of the University and the Prior of the Convent have beenand are our very warm friends and supporters. With the former the subscription paper lies, and is daily obtaining additional subscribers. One of our secretaries is also a Dominican Friar, is secretary to the University, and formerly filled the office of secretary in the district tribunal of the Inquisition of this quarter. It is this gentleman who has written all the articles in the Newspaper about the Society, and what you read in the English part is merely a translation from the same article in Spanish, as written by him.[6]

I have now to say a few words respecting the conduct on this occasion of Mr. Gual, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and now President of the Bible Society of Colombia. I wish to speak of the conduct of this gentleman in the highest terms, and in doing so, feel that I am not using the voice of flattery and adulation, but complying with the precept of rendering to every one his due. It is an act of injustice to withhold the praise that is due to any one, when a proper occasion offers of mentioning it. I had occasion to call upon him at different times, in regard to the preliminary steps for setting the Society on foot, and notwithstanding the hurry of business in his public situation, I always found him ready to spend a few minutes in listening to the propositions made to himas to our mode of acting in this matter. He also cheerfully attended and presided at all our meetings, and constantly defended, with much judgment and eloquence, the glorious work of circulating the Holy Scriptures in their natural beauty, in every corner of his native land, over all this continent, and finally throughout the world.

Mr. Castillo, the Minister of Finance, also warmly advocated our cause, and these two gentlemen, as well as the Minister of the Interior, have given 50 dollars each by way of donation, and are, besides, annual subscribers of 20 dollars each. The Vice-President has also given us a donation and his subscription of 24 dollars.

I have much pleasure in noticing to you that Colonel Hamilton, H. B. M. Commissioner to this Government, and Mr. Henderson, the British Consul-General, have lent the influence of their names and of their purses to the forwarding of our Society. Colonel Campbell also, the British Chargé d’Affaires, just arrived in time to be present at our last meeting, and both he and Mr. Henderson were chosen members of the committee.

I have requested Mr. Gual to write a few lines to Lord Teignmouth, by way of introducing our new Society to a friendly correspondence with that great and venerable Society over which he has so long presided, with so much honour to himself, and with much advantage to mankind. I expect Mr. Gual’s letter to-morrow, and shall forward itwith this. He is going also to write a few lines in order to begin a correspondence with the American Bible Society.

I have now been detained in this city considerably longer than I expected upon my arrival here, but I have the satisfaction of thinking, that my stay has been prolonged in the forwarding of a good work. I now set off immediately, and expect soon to have the pleasure of seeing the friends of the Redeemer’s cause in the United States; and not very long after, if the Lord will, I hope once more to behold my native land, and to salute there my friends and brethren in Christ Jesus.

[6]These articles from the newspaper are added at the end of this letter, as descriptive of the state of the country in regard to these matters.

Articles regarding the Formation of a Bible Society in Bogotá, extracted from “The Constitutional,” a weekly Newspaper published in that City, in Spanish and English.17th March, 1825.On the 15th instant, at half-past five in the afternoon, a public meeting took place in the Chapel of the University of this city, at which were present Dr. Pedro Gual, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; Dr. Antonio Malo, Member of the Senate; Dr. Joaquin Gomez and Dr. Mariano Miño, Members of the Chamber of Representatives; Dr. Jose Maria Estevez, Rector of the College of San Bartolomé; Father Joaquin Galvez, Rector of the University; Father Mariano Garnica, Prior of the Dominican Convent; Dr. Nicolas Quebedo;and the Secretary of the University. The meeting was assembled at the instance of Mr. Thomson, Agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society, with the view of establishing a Bible Society in Colombia. The Rules for the proposed Society were read, and after some observations from Sr. Gual, it was resolved unanimously to call a general meeting on Sunday next, the 20th instant, at four o’clock in the afternoon, in the same place, in order to take into consideration the advantages or inconveniences of such an establishment in Colombia; to obtain the general consent for the incorporation of a Society similar to that which has been the source of so many spiritual benefits to the human race in Europe, Asia, and Africa; and of which a correct idea will be given to the public by means of the press. In the mean time, it is distinctly stated, that the sole and exclusive object of this Society is the dissemination of the Holy Scriptures throughout the world.24th March, 1825.On Sunday last, the 20th instant, the meeting took place which was advertised in theConstitutionalof last week, for the purpose of establishing this valuable and important Institution. Upon this occasion eloquent and appropriate speeches were delivered by Sres. Gual, Castillo, and Herrera; and, after a debate of considerable length, it was agreed to convene a general meeting, by means of circulars, for this day, (Thursday,) at four o’clock in the afternoon. The principal object of this invitation is to place the basis of the Society on the most permanent and respectable foundation; to hear the opinions, and be benefited by the judgment of the gentlemen who may assemble; and to determine definitivelyupon what may appear most suitable and in conformity to the state and relations of Colombia. By the blessing of Heaven we hope to see accomplished the desires of those who have devoted their wisdom and love of their country to the promotion of so benevolent an undertaking.—We will have the pleasure of publishing a report of the speeches delivered on the occasion, also the rules and regulations of the Society, together with the objections that may be urged against it.31st March, 1825.At length the setting on foot of this establishment has been obtained, and its advantages will soon be known to those who are alike the friends of the religion of Jesus Christ, and of the true enlightening of the people. Endeavours were made to bring together all the principal persons of this city, by issuing upwards of 300 cards of invitation; and notwithstanding the smallness of the Chapel of the University, there assembled in it two-thirds of those invited. It is our intention to publish the speeches then made, together with the discourses offered us by some gentlemen who had not time to deliver them upon that occasion. This we promise to do with the greatest correctness possible. The opposition which has been made to this beneficent Institution by sinister interpretations of its object, is not to be wondered at, nor that strife of opinion which has already been manifested upon this important subject. It is, however, strange that any public writer should have said that it would be better to print two millions of copies of the Catechism, (the only book of instruction afforded to the people by our old oppressors,) than to print and circulate the Holy Bible. It is not suitablein itself, nor is it consistent with our upright motives to excite contention. The exclusive object of the Bible Society which has been established in Colombia is, to facilitate to all Colombians the reading of the divine word, in our own native tongue, from approved versions, such as that of Father Scio, or that of the celebrated Torres Amat, which has just been published in Madrid with all the necessary licences: and this object will be accomplished without in any degree infringing upon the Articles of the Council of Trent. If this plan draw forth opposition—if this object is capable of producing bitter and extemporaneous censures, then we will be under the necessity of classing the people of Colombia with the most uncivilized people of the world. This Bible Society has been established with the consent and approbation of the most distinguished persons, actually entrusted with the Executive Government of the Republic, and the Ecclesiastical Government of the Archbishopric, to whom it belongs exclusively and without dispute to watch over the spiritual and temporal happiness of the people, and whose fidelity none without injustice can call in question.7th April, 1825.On the 4th current there assembled in the Chapel of the University, those Foreigners and Colombians who have so generously contributed to the formation of this establishment, and whose names will be furnished upon another occasion. Rules and Regulations for this Society were read, and were unanimously approved of as the laws of its organization. In conformity to these Rules, the subscribers proceeded to the election of President,Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, and Secretaries, when the following gentlemen were duly elected.President.DonPedro Gual, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.First Vice-President.DonJose Maria Castillo, Minister of Finance.Second Vice-President.DoctorJose Maria Estevez, Prebendary, and Rector of the College of St. Bartholomew.Third Vice-President.DoctorJuan Fernandez de Sotomayor, Rector of the College del Rosario.Treasurer.DonJose Sans de Santa Maria, Senator, and Comptroller of the department of Cundinamarca.Secretaries.FatherAntonio Marco Gutierres, Secretary of the University.DoctorR. N. Cheyne.In the same manner the members present proceeded to vote for a Committee consisting of twenty individuals, one half of whom are Clergymen. The Society wished to place among its principal office-bearers the virtuous and worthy Governor of the Archbishoprick; but this gentleman, with his accustomed moderation, declined this honour, and very properly noticed, that the third article of the Rules reserved to the Ordinary of each diocese, the right of examining the edition of the Holy Scriptures that should be published by theSociety, in conformity with the decrees of the councils; and that the exercise of this power would prevent him, as Governor of this diocese, from accepting of the honour that this respectable Society wished to confer upon him.It was then resolved on to print, as soon as possible, in the form of a pamphlet, the speeches made at the last meeting, the Rules and Regulations of the Institution, a list of subscribers, and the transactions of the Society. It was also agreed upon that the advertisements of the Society should be made through “theConstitutional,” in consequence of its Editors having cheerfully employed their pages in promoting this Society. Finally, it was agreed on that the Subscription List should lie with the Rector of the University, at whose apartments all who wish to subscribe, may have an opportunity of doing so, on any day from eight to nine o’clock in the morning.

Articles regarding the Formation of a Bible Society in Bogotá, extracted from “The Constitutional,” a weekly Newspaper published in that City, in Spanish and English.

17th March, 1825.

On the 15th instant, at half-past five in the afternoon, a public meeting took place in the Chapel of the University of this city, at which were present Dr. Pedro Gual, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; Dr. Antonio Malo, Member of the Senate; Dr. Joaquin Gomez and Dr. Mariano Miño, Members of the Chamber of Representatives; Dr. Jose Maria Estevez, Rector of the College of San Bartolomé; Father Joaquin Galvez, Rector of the University; Father Mariano Garnica, Prior of the Dominican Convent; Dr. Nicolas Quebedo;and the Secretary of the University. The meeting was assembled at the instance of Mr. Thomson, Agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society, with the view of establishing a Bible Society in Colombia. The Rules for the proposed Society were read, and after some observations from Sr. Gual, it was resolved unanimously to call a general meeting on Sunday next, the 20th instant, at four o’clock in the afternoon, in the same place, in order to take into consideration the advantages or inconveniences of such an establishment in Colombia; to obtain the general consent for the incorporation of a Society similar to that which has been the source of so many spiritual benefits to the human race in Europe, Asia, and Africa; and of which a correct idea will be given to the public by means of the press. In the mean time, it is distinctly stated, that the sole and exclusive object of this Society is the dissemination of the Holy Scriptures throughout the world.

24th March, 1825.

On Sunday last, the 20th instant, the meeting took place which was advertised in theConstitutionalof last week, for the purpose of establishing this valuable and important Institution. Upon this occasion eloquent and appropriate speeches were delivered by Sres. Gual, Castillo, and Herrera; and, after a debate of considerable length, it was agreed to convene a general meeting, by means of circulars, for this day, (Thursday,) at four o’clock in the afternoon. The principal object of this invitation is to place the basis of the Society on the most permanent and respectable foundation; to hear the opinions, and be benefited by the judgment of the gentlemen who may assemble; and to determine definitivelyupon what may appear most suitable and in conformity to the state and relations of Colombia. By the blessing of Heaven we hope to see accomplished the desires of those who have devoted their wisdom and love of their country to the promotion of so benevolent an undertaking.—We will have the pleasure of publishing a report of the speeches delivered on the occasion, also the rules and regulations of the Society, together with the objections that may be urged against it.

31st March, 1825.

At length the setting on foot of this establishment has been obtained, and its advantages will soon be known to those who are alike the friends of the religion of Jesus Christ, and of the true enlightening of the people. Endeavours were made to bring together all the principal persons of this city, by issuing upwards of 300 cards of invitation; and notwithstanding the smallness of the Chapel of the University, there assembled in it two-thirds of those invited. It is our intention to publish the speeches then made, together with the discourses offered us by some gentlemen who had not time to deliver them upon that occasion. This we promise to do with the greatest correctness possible. The opposition which has been made to this beneficent Institution by sinister interpretations of its object, is not to be wondered at, nor that strife of opinion which has already been manifested upon this important subject. It is, however, strange that any public writer should have said that it would be better to print two millions of copies of the Catechism, (the only book of instruction afforded to the people by our old oppressors,) than to print and circulate the Holy Bible. It is not suitablein itself, nor is it consistent with our upright motives to excite contention. The exclusive object of the Bible Society which has been established in Colombia is, to facilitate to all Colombians the reading of the divine word, in our own native tongue, from approved versions, such as that of Father Scio, or that of the celebrated Torres Amat, which has just been published in Madrid with all the necessary licences: and this object will be accomplished without in any degree infringing upon the Articles of the Council of Trent. If this plan draw forth opposition—if this object is capable of producing bitter and extemporaneous censures, then we will be under the necessity of classing the people of Colombia with the most uncivilized people of the world. This Bible Society has been established with the consent and approbation of the most distinguished persons, actually entrusted with the Executive Government of the Republic, and the Ecclesiastical Government of the Archbishopric, to whom it belongs exclusively and without dispute to watch over the spiritual and temporal happiness of the people, and whose fidelity none without injustice can call in question.

7th April, 1825.

On the 4th current there assembled in the Chapel of the University, those Foreigners and Colombians who have so generously contributed to the formation of this establishment, and whose names will be furnished upon another occasion. Rules and Regulations for this Society were read, and were unanimously approved of as the laws of its organization. In conformity to these Rules, the subscribers proceeded to the election of President,Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, and Secretaries, when the following gentlemen were duly elected.

President.

DonPedro Gual, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

First Vice-President.

DonJose Maria Castillo, Minister of Finance.

Second Vice-President.

DoctorJose Maria Estevez, Prebendary, and Rector of the College of St. Bartholomew.

Third Vice-President.

DoctorJuan Fernandez de Sotomayor, Rector of the College del Rosario.

Treasurer.

DonJose Sans de Santa Maria, Senator, and Comptroller of the department of Cundinamarca.

Secretaries.

FatherAntonio Marco Gutierres, Secretary of the University.

DoctorR. N. Cheyne.

In the same manner the members present proceeded to vote for a Committee consisting of twenty individuals, one half of whom are Clergymen. The Society wished to place among its principal office-bearers the virtuous and worthy Governor of the Archbishoprick; but this gentleman, with his accustomed moderation, declined this honour, and very properly noticed, that the third article of the Rules reserved to the Ordinary of each diocese, the right of examining the edition of the Holy Scriptures that should be published by theSociety, in conformity with the decrees of the councils; and that the exercise of this power would prevent him, as Governor of this diocese, from accepting of the honour that this respectable Society wished to confer upon him.

It was then resolved on to print, as soon as possible, in the form of a pamphlet, the speeches made at the last meeting, the Rules and Regulations of the Institution, a list of subscribers, and the transactions of the Society. It was also agreed upon that the advertisements of the Society should be made through “theConstitutional,” in consequence of its Editors having cheerfully employed their pages in promoting this Society. Finally, it was agreed on that the Subscription List should lie with the Rector of the University, at whose apartments all who wish to subscribe, may have an opportunity of doing so, on any day from eight to nine o’clock in the morning.

To the Committee of the British and Foreign School Society.[7]

London, 25th May, 1826.

Gentlemen,

Agreeable to your wishes I sit down to give you a sketch of the progress, and of the actual state of education in South America. I shall begin at Buenos Aires, and shall take the different states in the order in which I travelled throughthem. When I left Buenos Aires, in May 1821, there were eight schools for boys in that city, supported by the magistrates, and all of them conducted, more or less, on your system. There were, I think, about as many more schools in the small villages around the city. These were also under the care of the magistrates, but had not been put upon your system at the time mentioned. I had visited some of them for the purpose of organizing them upon this plan, but the never-ending revolutions of that unhappy period, prevented the proper measures from being carried into effect for their improvement.

Upon my leaving Buenos Aires, the schools were put under the direction of a very respectable clergyman, who, I thought, would conduct them with much advantage, but, from his not being well acquainted with the system, or from his being peculiar in the application of it, the schools did not improve, but rather grew worse. This state of things lasted for several months, until the Society, which had been formed some time before my leaving that place, becoming re-organized, and arousing from its lethargy, began to take a particular interest in forwarding education according to this system. Much was done through this means; and, I am happy to say, that I have lately heard that the Society continues its useful exertions, and is likely to become more efficient from year to year. As you wish me to mention some individual or individuals in the different countries in South Americawith whom you could advantageously correspond in furtherance of your Christian object, universal education, I give you here the name of the Secretary to the above-mentioned Society, Don Bartolomé Muñoz. This individual is a clergyman of great respectability, he possesses a spirit of active benevolence, and is a warm friend to education. With this gentleman you may correspond with great advantage to the furtherance of your object; and I am sure it will afford much satisfaction to the individual mentioned, and to the rest of the Society, to hear from you, and to labour with you in this good cause.

I am not sure whether I mentioned to you in my letters from Buenos Aires, the circumstances of the meetings at the first formation of this Society, being held in the chief Franciscan convent of that city. This is worth mentioning, as it shows the liberality of priests and friars on the subject of education. The Provincial of the order, Don Hipólito Soler, lived in this convent, and was very friendly indeed to our object. The uniform kindness and courtesy which I experienced in my many calls upon him in his cell, I shall never forget. The Prior of the convent was also very friendly. To the list of our excellent friends among the priests, I must not omit the highly respected Dean of Buenos Aires, Don Diego de Zavaleta. The nephew of this gentleman, Don Ramon Anchorez, was also a very particular friend, and oftenencouraged me to go forward when obstacles lay in the way.

I have mentioned the labours of the Society in promoting Schools in that city. I must also mention, and very particularly, that the interest taken by the government, under the direction of Don Bernardino Rivadavia, greatly contributed to carry forward this noble object. The labours of the gentleman now mentioned, in instructing his countrymen in true political wisdom, by precept and by example, and his exertions in forwarding the cause of knowledge and general education, have mainly contributed to give to Buenos Aires, (what it indisputably enjoys) the first rank among the new American states. His name will ever be associated with the happiest part of the revolution of that country; and he will long be looked upon as its best benefactor. Accounts have just reached London, that this gentleman has been recently elected President of the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata, an honour justly due to him as the regenerator of their independence of Spain, and of their dependance upon each other. We may, I think, fairly augur, that much good will be done in the advancement of education by this individual throughout the various provinces of the Union, at the head of which he is now placed. I think a letter of congratulation from the Society is justly due to him, and, from what I know of his sentiments, I have no doubt of his readily acceding toany plans the Society might suggest for the establishing of schools throughout the provinces.

Through the means above stated, the number of schools has greatly increased in Buenos Aires since I left it. The Rev. Mr. Armstrong, in a letter lately received by the Bible Society, reckons them to amount to aboutone hundred, and thinks they may contain aboutfive thousandscholars. In the letter now referred to, Mr. Armstrong states, that he had presented 500 New Testaments to these schools on the part of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and he expresses a hope that this precious volume is likely to be generally used in all the schools before long.

At the time I left Buenos Aires, there was a very good girls’ school, on the British system, containing 120 scholars. I have not heard particularly of this school since that time, but hope it continues to prosper as it then did. The person who organized this school was Don José Catalá, a native of Spain, and a zealous promoter of education. This gentleman was the first who studied the system at our schools in Buenos Aires. He was afterwards appointed to be master of the central school, and continued in that situation until a few weeks before I left that place.

I mentioned to you, in some of my letters, that I had paid a visit to Monte Video, where I was kindly received by the first ecclesiastic of that place, Don Damaso Antonio de Larañaga, a priest of a liberal and enlightened mind, and a friend to education.This gentleman laid the subject of the establishment of schools on the British system before the magistrates, and, in consequence, I was authorized to send a master to them, who was to receive a salary of 1200 dollars a-year, whilst engaged in establishing and superintending the schools. The person most qualified for this undertaking was Don José Catalá, already mentioned. He was, accordingly, sent there with a supply of the necessary articles for making a commencement. I received, whilst in South America, different letters respecting his progress, which was at first slow on account of the war in which that place was involved, and the scarcity of funds consequent upon it. Afterwards he was enabled to get on better. The last letter I had from him is encouraging, of which I shall give an extract:—

“The school which I formed here has produced upwards of eighty children well instructed in elementary education. These have given satisfaction to those best qualified to judge, and to the public in general, in two public examinations which have taken place. The number of children now in the school is 208. Two years ago, I formed a private school upon the Lancasterian system. It contains at present forty children belonging to the best families of this city, who pay for each child six dollars a quarter. The master of this school is a young man of excellent talents, and of good conduct. He attended the central school for a whole year, in order to learn the system well, and to approvehimself capable of conducting a school upon these principles. He expected to be employed in one of the schools which the magistrates were about to establish, but as it was impossible for them to carry forward their purpose, owing to the disturbances of the times, I advised him to establish a private school. The young man had not means to do this, as he was the son of a poor widow. The Society, however, gave him lessons, slates, and pencils, and Mr. Noble gave him the wood to make the seats and desks. Thus provided, he offered to instruct, under the auspices of the Society, and by my direction,—elementary education, and also the principles of geometry, trigonometry, and geography, and to hold a public examination of his pupils every year. I am happy to inform you that the children are making very great progress, owing to the steadiness and fidelity of the master, and to the six well instructed monitors whom I sent him from the other school, each of whom knows more than any of the masters of this place.

“I am sorry to inform you that the master of the central school died about three weeks ago. In consequence of this misfortune, I have been obliged to take the school into my own hands until another master be appointed.

“I mentioned to you, in a former letter, that I had organized Mrs. Hyne’s school in Buenos Aires on the Lancasterian system, with this peculiarity in the arrangement, that the children are taughtin English one day, and in Spanish the other; as she has scholars who speak these languages respectively, I sent her some of the lessons printed here for the use of her school.”

The school here referred to is kept by an English lady, and was just beginning when I left Buenos Aires. It was afterwards fully established on your system as above mentioned. I have had frequent information respecting the prosperity of this school, and am told that the youth of that city show a great desire to study the English language, and are making progress in it. Their parents have thus shown their desire for the education of their children, in instructing them in our tongue, and they have shown their liberality in sending them without scruple to be educated by an English lady belonging to the Protestant church.

In the preceding review of the schools in Buenos Aires, there is much to cheer the minds and hearts of those who interest themselves in the welfare of their fellow-men, and who use their best exertions for this end, in the way in which they can be most effectual, namely, in the instruction of the young. To see the youthful flocks increasing in numbers, and growing in the knowledge of the purest religion and morality, by reading and imbibing the sacred oracles, is a sight truly gratifying, and to hear of this will, I am sure, afford much satisfaction to the Committee of the British and Foreign School Society. It will also, I trust, lead you to renewed exertions on behalf of that country, and, knowingyour readiness to do so, I beg leave to suggest the propriety of sending out a person possessing good talents, and well acquainted with your system, that he may be employed in extending education through the various provinces of these United States; and, in recommending this measure, I repeat my conviction, that the gentleman now elected President of these States, Don Bernardino Rivadavia, will take a pleasure in seconding your views.

I now turn your attention to the provinces of Mendoza and San Juan, as these form a part of the United Provinces of the Rio de la Plata. In March 1822, I visited these places, and found a very great desire existing there, in regard to education. Our excellent friend, Dr. Gillies, was at that time (and still is) residing in Mendoza. He had contributed much to create such a desire, and was very active in using every means for satisfying it. It was through his very urgent request, that I visited these places, I was much gratified with what I saw there, as regards a growing spirit of knowledge and liberality. The governor of Mendoza was very friendly to the establishment of Schools. A Society for promoting them was established a few days after my arrival, and a petition was presented to the Governor, that a small printing press, belonging to the town, might be placed at their disposal, that they might print lessons for the schools, and might otherwise gain alittle for promoting their objects. This request was immediately acceded to, and the press and the types were transferred accordingly. A newspaper has been printed at this press for some time, and it has greatly contributed to enlighten that quarter. A girls’ school was begun whilst I was there, and measures were taken for establishing schools for boys, which were afterwards carried into effect. After these favourable circumstances had been some time in operation, a storm overtook our worthy friends. They were like to be overwhelmed by a spirit of fanaticism, which had raised itself against the promoters of education and reform, by those of a contrary mind. The enemies of righteousness prevailed for some time, but at length they stumbled and fell, and truth and improvement again appeared, and prevailed, and now reign in triumph. Those individuals who had combined together to benefit their country, and whose benevolent arrangements were thus for some time impeded; these very individuals are now the chief persons in the government, and are thus enabled to carry their measures into effect.

In the Province of San Juan I found many enlightened individuals who were warm friends of education. There were, no doubt, many of other feelings and wishes. A printed circular was sent to the different persons of note in that place by the Governor, inviting them to a meeting in his own house, for discussing the subject of establishingschools on your system. A good many attended, and some were for the measure, and some against it. The Governor was a warm friend to the object, and the meeting broke up by his signifying, that it was the intention of the government to use its best endeavours to forward this object. I left some Scripture lessons for the schools in that place, as I had done in Mendoza, the price of which, together with the expenses of my journey there, were paid by the Governors of these two places.

Before I leave San Juan, I wish to notice the meritorious conduct of Don Salvador Carril. In the meeting referred to, he was one of the principal defenders of our objects, and strongly urged the adoption of the proposed plan. Some time after, this gentleman was appointed Governor in that province. When holding that situation, he wished to use all his influence for the establishment of religious liberty in his native province. I have great pleasure in stating that in thishe completely succeeded.He has thus had the honour of leading the way in this important matter, and of making his own provincethe first part of South America, to declare for Religious Liberty. The date of thisera, for such it may be called to this new continent, is the sixth of June, 1825. The province of Buenos Aires has adopted the same wise and liberal policy, but the first honour is due to San Juan, and to its Governor Carril.[8]I must not omit to mentionhere, Mr. Rawson from the United States, and who has long resided in San Juan. His name is connected with every measure for the improvement of that country.

In regard to the other provinces of the Rio de la Plata, I can say very little, but I believe education is in a very low state in all of them. The names of these provinces are, Santa Fé, Entre Rios, Corientes, Paraguay, Salta, Tucuman, and Córdova. It is, however, very probable, from the general spirit diffused through these countries, that plans for the improvement and extension of education would be very favourably received, particularly under the recommendation and fostering care of the President, Don Bernardino Rivadavia.

I omitted to mention before stretching across the Pampas, another Lancasterian School and Society. This School and Society are situated about 500 miles to the South of the City of Buenos Aires, at the mouth of the Rio Negro, where there is a small fort and town. Colonel Oyüela, who was appointed Governor of that quarter some months before my leaving the eastern side of the continent, attended our central school to get acquainted with our system, and on going to the place of his appointment,he carried with him a supply of lessons for the commencement of a school. I afterwards learned, that he had endeavoured to interest the inhabitants of that place in the education of their children, and that he had succeeded in establishing a school, and in forming a small society for its support. To this small society, contributions were made by the inhabitants of such things as they had, and these were turned into money, and kept the school going forward. The conduct of Colonel Oyüela in this matter is truly praiseworthy, as it springs from a sincere desire to promote education, and to benefit those over whom he is placed. If all governors,far and near, were to act in the same manner, we should soon see ignorance turned into knowledge all the world over.

The British System was begun in Chile, in July 1821. The Director, Don Bernardo O’Higgins, manifested a sincere desire to extend education throughout the country over which he was placed, and was ready to listen to any improvements in the manner of communicating knowledge, which might be brought before him. The principal Secretary of State, Don Rafael Echevarria, was also much interested in the subject. Three schools were established in Santiago, the capital, one in Valparaiso, and one in Coquimbo. Some months before I left Chile, Mr. Eaton arrived there, having been sent from London, by Mr. Irisarri, to promote education on the Lancasterian plan. The government intended to send Mr. Eaton to Conception, inthe south of Chile, to establish schools in that province, but on representing to the director, that it would be better to concentrate our labours in the capital, and from thence to send qualified masters to the various provinces, it was acceded to that Mr. Eaton should remain in Santiago. Our labours were continued there together until I received an invitation from General San Martin to go to Peru. Upon considering fully the importance of this invitation, as affording an opportunity for extending the blessings of education, in that interesting country, I thought it advisable to accept of it, considering that Mr. Eaton would remain in Chile, and that thus what had been begun there, would be maintained, and that by degrees, through his labours, the system would be generally extended in that quarter. These expectations, however, were not realized, as Mr. Eaton, in a few months after I went to Peru, fell sick, and was obliged to return to England. In consequence of this misfortune, the cause in Chile began to decline, and I believe, at the present moment, the schools formerly established are in a very low state, if not given up altogether. It is much to be regretted, that things should remain in this state in Chile, and that the great work of education should be retarded there, whilst it is making progress in other quarters. During my stay in Peru, I had some notices of how things were going on, and where they might probably end, unless I should accede to their invitationto return there, or at all events send a well qualified master to sustain the system. I could not go myself to Chile, although I had a great desire to go, because my leaving Peru at that time, might have occasioned a retrogression similar to what had taken place in Chile. In consequence of this, I looked out for a well instructed master to go there. Before I succeeded in obtaining one, the Spanish army took possession of Lima, and General Rodil, who commanded the fortresses of Callao, refused to allow the master to go when I called on him to obtain a passport.

From the representatives of the Chilian government, now in London, I have learned that there is a great regret at the disappointment met with in regard to the schools; and that there exists a sincere desire to remedy the evil as much as possible, and without delay. I mention this to the Committee agreeable to your request that I should point out the best means for forwarding education in South America. I would suggest the propriety of seeking out a well qualified person to go to Chile, and if the one selected is well fitted for conducting education, I have no doubt of his obtaining a favourable reception, and of his being the means of greatly benefiting that country. For the encouragement of such a one, I would say, that Chile enjoys a delightful climate, and its inhabitants are, I think, more moral in general than in any other part of South America where I have been.

The persons you might correspond with in Chile upon this subject, are the present Director, General Freire, Don Rafael Echevarria, Don Henrique Camillo, and Don Manuel Salas. General Freire was Governor of Conception when I resided in Chile; but, on a visit he paid to Santiago when I was there, I had an interview with him, in which he manifested his satisfaction at the progress of our schools on your system, and his readiness to encourage the introduction of the same plan in the province of Conception, when we should be able to send a master there. I have, indeed, no doubt of his hearty co-operation with any measures which the Society may adopt on behalf of Chile. The other three person mentioned will lend all their aid in this good work. Mr. Echevarria was First Secretary of State at the time I was there, and encouraged education on this system by sending his own son to our central school, and by a frequent attendance himself in the afternoons when his public business was over. Mr. Camillo was, and I believe is, contributing to the enlightening of his countrymen respecting education and other improvements by publishing a periodical work which had these things for its sole object. Don Manuel Salas is already known to you by my letters from Chile. He is a man up in years, and his only desire is to benefit his countrymen in every way he can, and he looks upon education as the most effectual means of doing permanent good.

I have only further to mention respecting Chile,that Mr. Egaña, the present envoy from that government now in London, will be ready to give the Committee any information or assistance in his power to the furtherance of this object.

My arrival in Peru, in the end of June 1822, and the favourable circumstances in the establishment of schools there, is detailed in my letters written about that period. Some time after these prosperous days, the war in that country greatly hindered the progress of education. We had often been scourged by this foe before, particularly in Buenos Aires, but the occurrences in Peru were to me, at least, new. Our former wars were among ourselves, and whatever party gained the ascendancy the schools went on unmolested, or nearly so; but in Lima we came in contact with the Spaniards, the well known encouragers of ignorance, at least so far as South America is concerned. Twice was Lima taken possession of by the Spanish armies during my residence there. On the first occasion I left the city along with some thousands, who fled at that unhappy time. The schools suffered an interruption of three months by the first visit of the Spanish troops. On the second occasion, to prevent a like interruption, I remained in the city, and the schools went on, though not so prosperously as we could have wished. The protection we enjoyed at this time was owing, I believe, in a good measure, to the general feeling in the place in favour, of education. After remaining six months underthe Spanish dominion, in that city, and finding it impossible to advance, I left that place on my way northward, and finally came to England. Of the result of this journey you are already acquainted, through the publications of the Bible Society.

The Central School established in the College of the Dominican Friars in Lima, contained, on the entrance of the Spanish army, 230 children, and was going on well; there was another school on the same plan which had 80 scholars in it. In both these schools printed sheets of extracts from the Scriptures were used for lessons, the same as in Buenos Aires and Chile. But in addition to this, in Lima the New Testament entire, printed by the British and Foreign Bible Society in London, was used as our principal school-book. In this precious volume the children in the higher classes read, and were questioned as to its contents. The same volume was carried home by the children, and read by them there, and portions of it also were committed to memory. These portions were recited in school, and premiums were awarded according to the accuracy of the recitation, and the clearness of the views which the children gave in their own language, of what they had recited. Besides the sheet lessons, the Scripture extracts were printed and used in the form of little books. Requests at times came from the parents to have a copy of these to read, which requests were complied with, and thus the word of God became more known, and I trust more revered and obeyed.

I am not sure whether I mentioned to you or not, on former occasions,the nameof an esteemed friend and an able coadjutor in the work of education. It would in me be a dereliction of duty to pass over in silence the name and the character of this individual. The gentleman I speak of is Don José Francisco Navarrete, a clergyman in Lima. After an acquaintance with him for about two years, and experiencing during the half of that time his able co-operation, I beg leave to recommend him to the attention of the Society, in reference to the furtherance of education in Peru. I have had three letters from him since my return to England, and am happy to find that he continues his exertions unabated in promoting the instruction of youth, and that the schools left under his charge are doing well. He informs me that a school has been established in Huánuco, and that it is conducted by a native of that place, who attended our school in Lima several months when I was there. Huánuco is a very happy station for a school. It is situated in an interesting country, and is the key to the large uncivilized population which inhabit the banks of the Huallága, Ucayáli, and Amazon. From Huánuco as a centre I am persuaded much may be done on behalf of these poor creatures, who, though living in one of the richest portions of the world, wander about almost naked, half fed, and in complete ignorance of the arts and comforts of life; and what is still moreto be regretted, no cheering ray breaks in upon them of a world to come, and of the everlasting felicity to be enjoyed there through our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us hope, and let us pray for it, that education may soon begin among them, that the Holy Scriptures may be put into their hands, and that the Spirit of God may descend upon these poor Gentiles, as it did on us in former days, that their sins may be washed away, and that they may enjoy an inheritance among all them that are sanctified.

Another favourable circumstance has taken place since my leaving Peru, in regard to the quarter I am now speaking of. In Ocopa, not far distant from Huánuco there has existed for many years a College of Friars, most of whom were natives of Spain. This College has been made to change its object, and instead of being as formerly a nursery of Friars, it has become a seminary for the education of youth on the British System, and its ample funds are now applied to this object. This happy change has been effected entirely through General Bolívar. After mentioning this circumstance, as bearing on the character of Bolívar, it might be thought unnecessary to say more respecting him, as the instance now mentioned very plainly indicates his desire to benefit South America, not by his military exertions only, but also by the gentler, more effectual means of early instruction. I must however add twocircumstances more, in proof of Bolívar’s deep interest and active exertions in the cause of education. Some months subsequent to the decree referred to for changing the object of the College of Ocopa, he issued a decree for establishing a Central School on the Lancasterian System, in the capital city of each province throughout Peru, and from which Central Schools, masters are to be sent into all the towns and hamlets of the respective provinces. This is a most effectual measure for speedily enlightening all the inhabitants of that country. The other circumstance I have to mention in regard to Bolívar is a decree he issued about a year ago for sending two young men from every province in Peru to England, to receive here, at the expense of the Government, the best education that can be obtained. After finishing their studies in this country, these young men are to return to their native land, and to fill important stations in the great work of general illumination. I am sure the hearts of the Committee are by this time warmly attached to this useful individual, whom God Almighty has raised up to be so great a blessing to his country, in breaking their chains of oppression and of ignorance. Ten of the young men sent by Bolívar have arrived in this country, and are now pursuing their studies in the neighbourhood of London. One of these was a monitor in our central school in Lima. The rest of the young men are expected to arrive here soon. I amhappy in being thus able to confirm, by unexceptionable instances, the opinion I formerly gave you of this great man, after enjoying the pleasure of an interview with him, and conversing upon these subjects.—To these things must be added the appropriation of 20,000 dollars for promoting schools in Caraccas through Mr. Lancaster.

In the lustre of Bolívar, I had nearly forgotten something more I had to say of our friend Navarrete, a man who only needs the station of Bolívar to do all that he does. In one of the letters I lately received from him, he says, he has obtained from the Government the grant of part of a nunnery for establishing a girls’ school. This nunnery is close beside the college where the boys’ central school is. This school, about to be established, is to be the model and the central establishment for the education of the female sex, a branch of education very much wanted in that country. May God speed the labours of our dear friend in this matter, and may mothers, and daughters, and sisters, embalm his memory for ages to come!

I believe the Committee is now aware that I have given up any intention of returning to Peru, and that I have fixed on another spot of South America, where I intend to spend my remaining days. I would beg leave, therefore, to solicit the attention of the Committee to Peru, and would suggest the propriety of their sending out a fit person to that place, to be actively employed inthe establishment of schools. I have no doubt of such an individual meeting with a favourable reception, and of his being immediately employed by the Government in this work.

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